Simplify the operation
Reduce (simplify) the fractions to their lowest terms equivalents:
- To reduce a fraction to the lowest terms equivalent: divide both the numerator and denominator by their greatest common factor, GCF.
The fraction: 169/13
- The prime factorizations of the numerator and denominator:
- 169 = 132
- 13 is a prime number.
- Multiply all the common prime factors: if there are repeating prime factors we only take them once, and only the ones having the lowest exponent (the lowest powers).
- GCF (169; 13) = 13
169/13 = (169 ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = 13/1 = 13
The fraction can also be reduced without calculating GCF; factor the numerator and denominator and cross out all the common prime factors:
169/13 = 132/13 = (132 ÷ 13)/(13 ÷ 13) = 13/1 = 13
The fraction: 177/20
177/20 is already reduced to the lowest terms.
The numerator and denominator have no common prime factors:
- 177 = 3 × 59
- 20 = 22 × 5
- GCF (177; 20) = 1